Stamford Highlights

Editor's Note: This is a listing of selected events in Stamford in the upcoming weeks. If you would like to submit your event, please e-mail it to Stamford@thehour.com

Bartlett offers weekly

farmers market

Through Oct. 1, the Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens will host a farmers market on Wednesdays from 10 to 2 p.m. Interested residents can come support Connecticut's farmers and shop for fresh, seasonal vegetables and fruits, cheeses, pies, natural soaps and lotions, handcrafted three-grain Pain de Campagne breads and much more, all while enjoying the beautiful surroundings of the arboretum. There is ample parking, and no admission fee. The arboretum is located off Exit 35 of the Merritt Parkway. For more information, call 203-322-6971 or visit www.bartlettarboretum.org.

'Art in Public Places'

exhibit on display

The annual sculpture and photography exhibit, "Art in Public Places," is now on display in the streets of downtown Stamford, featuring life-size sculptures by artist J. Seward Johnson. The Stamford Downtown Special Services District (DSSD), in partnership with Apollo Real Esate Advisors and National Realty and Development Corp., has been presenting the free exhibit for the past 14 years. This year's exhibit is called "Encore! The Works of J. Seward Johnson," and will be on display from the beginning of June until the end of August. Johnson's sculptures, which will be on display in the streets and parks of downtown Stamford and in the Stamford Town Center mall, will be chosen from three of his major series: "The Classics," "The Icons," and "The Great Impressionists." The "Beyond the Frame" series, Johnson's sculptures depicting impressionist art, is on display in the galleries of the University of Connecticut in Stamford Downtown. Encore! will also feature a photo exhibit inspired by the works of J. Seward Johnson. At the conclusion of the exhibit, the photographs will be sold and proceeds will be donated to help refurbish a set of 1920's historic murals at St. John's Church. For more information about Encore!, call 203-348-5285 or visit www.stamford-downtown.com.

Avon Theatre offers 'Cult Classics'

The Avon Theatre, 272 Bedford St., is offering a new summer film series, titled "Cult Classics." The series will take place on Thursdays at 9 p.m. all summer long. The screenings will include vintage movie trailers before each show. Tickets are $6 for members, $7 for students and seniors and $10 for non-members. Tickets are available at the theater box office during showtimes. The remaining summer schedule is as follows:

Aug. 28 -- "Diva:" Super-stylized '80s new wave.

Applications being accepted for Master Gardner Program

Applications are currently being accepted for the 2009 UConn Master Gardener Program offered at the Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens in Stamford. Master Gardeners are members of the community who take an active interest in their lawns, trees, shrubs, flowers, gardens, environment and community at large. They are enthusiastic, willing to learn and share their knowledge and training with others. What really sets them apart from other home gardeners is their special horticultural training. The Master Gardener program is designed to enhance UConn's horticultural education offerings statewide, with a strong focus on volunteerism and educational outreach, and students are involved in many rewarding projects. For more information about the program, contact Master Gardener Coordinator Regina Campfield at 203-322-6971 ext. 18. To download a copy of the application, visit www.bartlettarboretum.org. The Bartlett Arboretum & Gardens is located at 151 Brookdale Road near exit 35 on the Merritt Parkway.

Pet Adoption Day set for Aug. 23

On Saturday, Aug. 23, Stamford Animal Care & Control will host its 3rd annual Pet Adoption & Open House. Many cats, dogs, rabbits, hamsters or feathered friends will be looking for new homes at the event. Attendees can enjoy live music, baked goods, refreshments and free hot dogs, veggie dogs and freshly popped "PUP-corn." Visitors can also enter a drawing for door prizes, which include a variety of gift baskets and gift certificates. There will also be lots of items to purchase, from gift bags for cats, dogs and kids, to pet related items such as collars, leases, clothing, toys, pet tags, magnets and more. Attendees can also meet Friends of Felines' employees and local pet related vendors and receive complimentary give-a-ways. Admission is free all day from 10 to 4 pm. The property is limited to the shelter's pets, so visitors should leave their four-legged friends to rest at home that day. The animal shelter is located at 201 Magee Ave. For more information, call 203-977-4437 or visit www.cityofstamford.org.

Mayor's Gallery to display

'Faces and Facades' exhibit

The Mayor's Gallery, located on the 10th floor at the Government Center, 888 Washington Blvd., Stamford, will be displaying the artistic works of Cici Artist from Sept. 3 through Oct. 24. There will be an opening reception for the exhibit, entitled "Faces and Facades: Works in Copper, on Canvas and Oil on aluminum," on Sept. from 5 to 7 p.m. Gallery hours are 9 to 4 p.m. weekdays. For further information, call 203-325-8259.

Jazz For The Sound

benefit set for Oct. 5

Interested residents can bring their dinner, favorite beverage and friends to Jazz For the Sound, a unique musical experience which will take place at the Boat Shed in Stamford's Brewer Yacht Haven Marina on Sunday, Oct. 5. The event's line-up of jazz performers include: Brooklyn's Devoe Street Baptist Church choir with Jody Sanhaus and the Pete Malinverni Trio; bebop, ballads, standards and humor with Nicole Pasternak, The Tod Hedrick Group and Joan Crow; and doo-wop with The Royal Kings and Cookie Thomas. Tickets cost $50 per person with proceeds benefitting SoundWaters, an environmental educational organization on Long Island Sound. For more information or to make reservations, call 203-406-3314 or visit www.soundwaters.org.